Edwin William Bentley was the son of William Bentley and Elizabeth A. (maiden name unknown, based on 1861 and 1871 Census records). Edwin William’s birth location is more exactly defined as Beacontree Heath, Essex on the 1881 Census records. Beacontree Heath is a short distance southwest of Romford, which was probably the closest large city and where the birth records were legally recorded. These records show that he was their first born, in July of 1958, followed by the birth of a brother John George Bentley in 1867 and a sister, Emily F. in 1872. There are large age gaps in the birth years of these siblings, 8 years between Edwin and John, and 5 years between John and Emily. If there were other siblings or the reason for this time gap is not understood at this time. The 1881 England and Wales Census, taken when Edwin William was 22 years old, reveals that he was working as a Bakers Assistant for a Mr. James Johnson and living with this Baker’s family on Love Lane (Kings Road) in Barking, Essex, England. Barking is only 4 miles southwest of Edwin’s birth town of Beacontree Heath, but at this time in history, one can imagine that those four miles were most likely traveled by foot or by horse drawn cart. Edwin is listed as single at the time of the 1881 Census, which was taken in April, but just two months later, in June 1881, Edwin married Elizabeth Cullington in West Ham. (Located about 4 miles east of Edwin’s work location in Barking). During their 18 ½ years of married life, Edwin William and Elizabeth had 11 children ( Herbert b. 1882/3, Florence b.1883/4, Edwin William Jr. b 1844, John James b. 1887, Louise b.1888, Arthur Edgar b.1890, Ivy Emily b.1891, William Coulson b. 1893, Maud Adaline b.1895, Beatrice Victoria b. 1897 and Ted b.1899). Edwin died at the young age of 42 years old. His cause of death is unknown.